Driving Differences: Indonesia vs. Kazakhstan Uncovered
When traversing the roads of Indonesia and Kazakhstan, drivers encounter distinct rules and customs that can significantly influence their travel experience. Key distinctions include driving on the left in Indonesia versus the right in Kazakhstan, varying speed limits, and unique traffic regulations. Understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a safe journey abroad.
Lanes
| Indonesia | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific signage. | Labeled with specific signs and road markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Varies by region |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles where present. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
indonesia:
Left
kazakhstan:
Right
Overtaking: On Left
indonesia:
No
kazakhstan:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
indonesia:
Yes
kazakhstan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
indonesia:
Use leftmost lane.
kazakhstan:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
indonesia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles.
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
indonesia:
Labeled with specific signage.
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
indonesia:
Limited
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
Cycle Lanes: Usage
indonesia:
Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles.
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
indonesia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
indonesia:
N/A
kazakhstan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
indonesia:
N/A
kazakhstan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Indonesia | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 50-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
indonesia:
30 km/h
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
indonesia:
80 km/h
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
indonesia:
50-80 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
indonesia:
60-80 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
indonesia:
100 km/h
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
indonesia:
80 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
indonesia:
80 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
indonesia:
N/A
kazakhstan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
indonesia:
Common
kazakhstan:
Yes
Signals
| Indonesia | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Indonesia | Not used in Kazakhstan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Indonesian; symbols are standard | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
indonesia:
Not used in Indonesia
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
Traffic Signs: Language
indonesia:
Indonesian; symbols are standard
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
indonesia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Indonesia | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Forbidden unless a sign permits it | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
indonesia:
Forbidden unless a sign permits it
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
indonesia:
Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Indonesia | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic checks required | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Evidence of inspection may be displayed | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
indonesia:
International Driving Permit recommended
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
indonesia:
International Driving Permit required
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
indonesia:
Yes, periodic checks required
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
indonesia:
Evidence of inspection may be displayed
kazakhstan:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
indonesia:
Not mandatory but recommended
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Indonesia | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in traffic | Moderate use |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Give way and make room | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
indonesia:
Frequent use in traffic
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
indonesia:
Give way and make room
kazakhstan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Indonesia | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
indonesia:
0.05%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
indonesia:
0.05%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
indonesia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
indonesia:
Common
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
indonesia:
Varies by region; can be substantial
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Indonesia | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 110 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local emergency numbers | Call 102 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory in case of breakdown | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended for safety | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
indonesia:
112 or 110
kazakhstan:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
indonesia:
Check local emergency numbers
kazakhstan:
Call 102
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
indonesia:
Mandatory in case of breakdown
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
indonesia:
Recommended for safety
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Indonesia | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; subject to local laws | Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Subject to local laws, fines apply | Fines apply for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving | Fines apply for handheld use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, enforced rigorously | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
indonesia:
Varies; subject to local laws
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
Common Fines: Alcohol
indonesia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
indonesia:
Subject to local laws, fines apply
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
indonesia:
Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
indonesia:
Fines apply, enforced rigorously
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
indonesia:
Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
Payment: Deadline
indonesia:
Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days
kazakhstan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay